Question about the AR BCG

[strongpoint]

Does the gas key on an AR bolt carrier group do anything to stabilize the BCG as it moves back and forth? In other words, do the bolt carrier rails alone hold the BCG and prevent it from rotating as it travels? I assume this is the case since the gas key isn't usually cited as a lube point.

ETA: Apologies to the 'smiths; I don't know the technical terms to properly describe the components and actions I'm asking about. I hope the question is sufficiently clear anyway.

[Calico1404]

I dont lube my gas key as to prevent unwanted additional buildup. Oil can attract or retain grit etc. I oil rails [lightly] and rear of bcg where the detent guide is and left to right. If you look at a 9mm ar bolt you can see a key isn't needed, as its direct impact

[kcstott]

The gas key does prevent the bolt from rotating but so does the cam pin to a limited extent. I apply grease to my bcg and the key, I lightly lube the gas tube.

And my service rifles I don't clean anywhere near as much as I probably should not as much as guys here with a cleaning ever time they return from the range.

My AK's have yet to be cleaned.
The rest of my hand guns and rifles are cleaned after each trip to the desert.
But they are also only cleaned just enough to remove fouling. Some seem to think the " clean until a patch comes out clean" is correct. that's too damn clean and will require fouling shots to get back the accuracy you lost by over cleaning. But that only applies to bolt rifles.